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Hi Teri! Thanks again for asking me to participate in this! Here are my answers and pics. Name: Alex Daniel. Nickname: "Food." Where you live: San Ramon, CA When did you 1st pick up set of drumstix: At my first drumming lesson on February 14th, 1980. Drumstix you use & why: Vater 5A or 5B. Those are the sizes I'm most comfortable with, and Vater sticks are remarkably durable. I've had the shoulders of them whittled to pencil-width before they'd actually break. Drummer who Inspires You & why: Jeff Parks of Spokane, WA. I took lessons from him from 1980 until mid-1986. I haven't seen him since. I don't know if he's even still alive (I sure hope so!), but he taught me how to play. That's an influence that can never vanish. Fav Song to play drums to: Jessica Leia has a not-yet-recorded song called "Brand New Elvis." That was the first song she wrote after I joined her band, so it was the first one that didn't have a template from a previous drummer. What I came up with wasn't difficult or innovative, but it just felt really perfect for the song. Every time we'd play it live, I'd feel so good. I'm sad that I was dismissed before the song could be recorded. Fav style of Music to Rock with: I love 80s heavy metal, especially early-80s European metal. Priest, Maiden, Accept, etc. Bands You Have Rocked with over the years: FULL LIST OF BANDS I'VE BEEN IN: 6:AM! (goodtime hard rock) September '02 - October '04 Bad Penny Boys (folk rock) October '04 - April '05 Hands of Time (semi-prog hard rock) April '05 - September '07 6:AM! again, August '09 - June '13 Amalgamation (Alt/Indie rock) November '12 - December '14 Jessica Leia (Pop Americana) February '15 - September '15 Luminous Newts (prog rock) February '15 - April '16 Wickerman (Iron Maiden tribute band) March '16 - present Soulless Demise (thrash metal) March '16 - present Advice to Upcoming Drummers: Be distinctive. Find something unique to either your playing or your showmanship that nobody else is doing, and make that your signature. What your up to now: I joined speed metal band Soulless Demise last month. They/we are in rebuild mode, so it'll be a few months before we're stage-ready, but we're not lax about getting there. I also joined/co-founded Wickerman, an Iron Maiden tribute band (Just what the world needs, right? Another Iron Maiden tribute band )out of San Francisco. Our first show is my birthday show at The Red House in Walnut Creek on June 17th. I'm also looking for a third band to be in. I have enough time for it. On July 8, I won the Bands4Bands Best Drummer Award at the 16th Annual Bands4Bands Awards Show. That was a huge thrill. Thanks a bunch, Teri! I can’t wait to see the finished thing! Cheers!! Alex
www.facebook.com/alex.daniel.315428
www.facebook.com/james.reyome Name? : James Reyome Where you live?: Livermore, CA. When did you 1st pick up set of drumsticks: I first started playing at five years old, my older brother Chuck Reyome (guitarist for From the Ruins) used to take me to see his friend’s band practice, and then they played a house party at my parent’s home. The drummer over heard me tell my mom that I wanted to play drums and when she told me that I could use pots and pans, he interjected that he would give me his old Ludwig set, and he did!!! Drumsticks you use & why: I used to play Promark 7-A sticks, as I have gotten older I have switched over to Vic Firth 5-A. I just like that they are a little heavier and fell like they give me better stick control. Drummer who Inspires you & why: There are so many drummers that have inspired me over the years, and for different reasons. Number one would have to be Dave Lombardo, learning the Dave Lombardo rolls of death, as we called them, definitely made me better. As well as his double bass skills. Fav Drum Solo to play: To be very forthcoming, I am more of a “play my parts” well and keep it tasty and stay in the pocket player, than someone that could pull off an actual solo ha ha ha Fav song to Rock with: I will always love playing Slayer’s South of heaven, Tool’s 4 degrees and 46 and 2, as well as Flotsam and Jetsam’s Swatting at flies and Smoked out. Bands you have rocked with over the years: My first band was called “Havoc” in 1988; we were basically a Metallica cover band for the first year…… we split up by 1991. I then was in a punk band called “Slut Child” for about a year. Later on in 1997 Havoc reformed as Hybrid Icon and we delved into industrial metal and revived a few of our originals from 1991. After that came to a close I took a bunch of years off until 2007 when I became a founding member of “Letters to Ruin” we had a great 3 year run playing shows all over the bay! My next move was probably the best experience of all; I began playing in the worship team at a church. That changed my playing and dynamics completely. Advice to Upcoming Drummers : 1---Learn to play to a click. Both at rehearsal and live. Everyone will take note and you will sound more professional. 2—Write your parts, do not ad-lib a different fill each time you play a song, make it to where your band mates know when a transition is coming, we all get lost in a moment and when a member hears a particular fill, he knows what he should be doing. 3—Forget showboating and showing off inside the framework of a song, save that crap for extended endings and places where there is room to do it tastefully 4—Be a pocket player. Too many drummers fill up every measure with rolls and cymbal crashes and all kinds of busy playing that the vocals have nowhere to sit in the mix and melodies and lyric lines are harder to fit over top. 5—Be a team player, always make sure that you allow for each member of the team to shine through during the performance, never overplay, never. What you are up to now: I am now involved in two bands, I am the Drummer for Mars Rising from Livermore, which is made up of my team from “Letters to Ruin” and a new vocalist. And I am doing vocals with “From the Ruins” with my brother from Reno.
When did you 1st pick up set of drumstix: CD: I picked up my first pair of JoJo brand drum sticks at this tiny little music store right next to Concord High School in Concord, CA. I was the best air drummer EVER for quite some time!! Drumstix you use & why: CD: I use Vic Firth Drum Sticks and have been a VF Artist since 1998 when I started with Moon Dog Mane during our Judas Priest Tour. I've worked in drum shops and I've tried every kind of stick out there, but Vic Firth always feels like an extension of my hands. They're just part of me while I'm playing and nothing about them irritates me or feels awkward. They just help me GO!! I usually use a classic 5A wood tip, but in Arena's and bigger settings I really like the Danny Carey Signature model. It is REALLY COOL!! I use those in the studio sometimes too. I found that the size of sticks I use in the studio makes a HUGE difference on how the hats, cymbals, ride and drums sound. Who would've thought...lol?? Drummer who Inspires You & why: CD: My biggest inspirations as a young drummer were John Henry Bonham, Neil Peart, Alex Van Halen, Tommy Aldridge, Steven Adler, Mike Derosier and Carmine Appice just to name a few. I spent MONTHS trying to perfect Tom Sawyer by RUSH. The 16th note hi hat pattern was super articulate and really built a lot of strength and muscle memory that still comes in handy as a professional today!! Those drummers are still some of my biggest inspirations, but as I was coming of age in the 90's, I really got into Seattle Grunge and was a HUGE fan of Matt Cameron, Dave Abbruzzese and Dave Grohl. When TOOL came out and Danny Carey hit the scene, I was definitely inspired again to modernize my playing style. I also spent a lot of time with Gospel Drummers while I was making noise at Guitar Center in Berkeley, CA. That's where I got schooled by guys like Thomas Pridgen, Thomas McCree, Randy Gallerin, Dante "Taz" Roberson and more. I definitely got into my fusion phase in my late teens and was a big fan of Weckyl, Collaiuta, Gadd and guys like that too. Then there's RAY LUZIER, and all the SHREDDERS that have inspired me from Bonzo Bash!! What an HONOR TO PLAY ALONG SIDE THESE GUYS!! Fav Drum Solo to play. CD: I love me some MOBY DICK!! Fav song to Rock with: CD: That's a really hard question....Hmmm. I still love to play Tom Sawyer and it's really fun to play Frankenstein. I also love the groove "All Right Now" by Free. Also "The Song Remains The Same" by Led Zepp. Those just GROOVE SO HARD, but right now, I'd say throwin down on some Black Betty by RAM JAM is SO DAMN FUN!! Sorry, that's more than one song....lol.
Bands You Have Rocked with over the years: CD: This question always brings back great memories!! I joined Moon Dog Mane with Frank Hannon back in 1998. We were immediately signed to Eureka/Polygram Records and hit the road with Judas Priest for six weeks, then right into back to back runs with Cinderella for another six weeks straight. We were pretty good by then, so when we ended up on tour with Def Leppard in 1999, it was like a dream come true!! All of it was a dream come true from the moment I sent a demo tape of "When The Levee Breaks" to Frank Hannon to see if he would let me audition for Moon Dog Mane. I guess it worked...lol. After that I was in my own band called Fear The Days with Michael Ragusa and Brad Lang(Dwaine Goodwin was our original bass player before Brad L). We opened for so many awesome classic rock bands and even toured with Y&T throughout California. Soon after FTD, I got a call from Dan McNay about auditioning for MONTROSE. I didn't get the gig, but I ended up getting the gig as Michael Lee Firkins drummer who was the opening act for MONTROSE. That was such an epic time for me!! I even got to fill in for Steve Brown for a couple nights as the drummer for MONTROSE too. I had the best of both worlds!! I was also the drummer on Frank Hannon's Six String Soldier record that also came out in 2012 while I was on tour with Firkins and Montrose. That record featured some amazing guitarists including Frank Hannon, Mike Araiza, Pat Travers, Dickey Bett's, Dave Meneketti, Rick Derringer and Billy Raney. EPIC TIMES!! After Ronnie Montrose took his own life in 2012, all of those epic times came crashing down. A lot of really hard things were happening in my life at that time which is ultimately the catapult that led me to create Razor Queen. I named my band in honor of Ronnie Montrose. He had a song in the band GAMMA called Razor King. I took all of this pain and life's BRUTAL education and I wrote a record called Kingdom Of Dysfunction and I played all instruments, vocals, production and engineering(although my genius son Camryn helped me with a lot of creative production that adds some great dimension to this record) and mastering. This is when my appreciation for Dave Grohl and Sully Erna of Godsmack really hit me!! If they can be drummers and write hit records, WHY CAN'T I?? Well, I happen to think I can. Anyone can!! I will be releasing this record on September 17, 2016 at a show that I've created called RevivalFestival2016. Please Join Me!! Advice to Upcoming Drummers: CD: ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART, BUT USE YOUR MIND TOO!! Don't let anybody's negative opinions EVER bring you down. There is a lot of hard work and pain that comes with having success in music!! When you hear the term "Paying Your Dues", THAT IS VERY VERY TRUE!! It's called LIFE and it ain't easy AT ALL!! There will be a lot of people that tell you that you'll never make it or that you aren't cool enough or whatever...DON'T TAKE THAT STUFF TO HEART!! Only change what you're doing if that's what YOU think would be best for YOU!! These are the scars that make success that much SWEETER and the subject matter of GREAT RECORDS!! IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP IF YOU WANT TO ROCK N ROLL!! Also, YOU MUST PRACTICE A LOT....I MEAN A LOT!! I spent approximately 8 hours a day MINIMUM practicing either drums, vocals, guitar or bass in my poor mom's garage from age 11-17 non stop!! I didn't have youtube either to show me all the tricks, licks and chops either. I had to watch MTV and LISTEN TO A LOT OF RECORDS OVER AND OVER AND OVER!! Peace & Love, Cortney D aka Razor Queen
www.facebook.com/cortney.deaugustine
Name: Jimmy Schultz Where you live: Orange County, CA When did you 1st pick up set of drumstix: I picked up my 1st set of sticks when I was 14 but didn't get my 1st drum kit until I was 16. Drumstix you use & why: At the moment I use Vater 5B drum sticks. I love the feel of them & they're durable. Each pair gets me through several shows before breaking. Drummer who Inspires You & why: I'm inspired by all drummers from old school to new school players, from all types of music genres. It's too hard to choose just one. Fav Drum Solo to play: I'm not much into playing drum solos as much as I am into playing drums to music. I really love the feeling of playing with the band & playing interesting parts within a song. Fav song to Rock with: there's too many to choose from, but at the moment it's One Hand Killing by 12 Foot Ninja. Bands You Have Rocked with over the years: Sunflower Dead, In a This Moment, Cerebellion, Soulbleed, Three Thirteen, Psychosis, New Eden, Turkey Neck, Tyranny. I also play in some tribute/cover bands. Advice to Upcoming Drummers: keep playing, networking. Get your name out there. Play with as many bands as you can for as much exposure possible. Be open minded & listen to all types of music to be inspired by. Be nice & respectful to all fellow bands & musicians you play with. A good reputation is good to have in this business. What your up to now: I'm on tour with my band Sunflower Dead which started May 2nd & continues through Aug. We're touring with Avatar all of May, then we hook up with Hellyeah & In This Moment from June till the end of the tour in August. See ya all on the road in a city near you! Thanks for the interview!
www.facebook.com/JimmyFSchultz
Name: Matt Driscoll Location: Rockland County, New York
1st Time Picking Up Sticks: I think around 5 years old is when I was given my first kiddie drum set, which started it. Otherwise, I started really playing with lessons in 4th grade. From there, it's just been continuous! Drumsticks I use: I love to try new companies, models, sizes all that. However, I really love what Pro-Mark does, as they’re so innovative, so I tend to stick with them (no pun intended). My favorite models are Chris Adler’s (Lamb of God), Joey Jordison's (ex-Slipknot) and Jason Bittner’s (Shadows Fall, Flotsam & Jetsam). I like a well balanced stick so typically no heavier than a 5B, but I can’t play what I want to with a super thin stick. Inspiring Drummers & Why: My drum heros include Roy Mayorga, Mike Portnoy, Chris Adler, Will Hunt, “The Rev”, Ray Luzier & Brian Medina. There are more, but I could go on for a while! These guys are from my favorite bands, but they all have such individual styles. I look to their records & styles when I’m trying to create a drum part. My favorite drummer is definitely Roy though. The guy is a power house & always comes up with unique parts and he’s an all around musician, plus he’s such a great guy. Fav Drum Solo: My favorite solo to play was the only one I’ve ever done, senior year of High School at a talent show! That was a ton of fun to create and show where my influences come from Fav song To Rock With: Since I’ve mostly done covers on YouTube (Metaldrummer47), I play a good range of bands, but typically stick with rock/metal. My all time favorite song to play is tough! I’d say it’s a Stone Sour track. Either Mission Statement or Gone Sovereign. Those are 2 I’ll never get bored with because of how fun they are to play. Stone Sour is easily my favorite band. Bands You Have Rocked with over the years: I’ve been lucky to play with a ton of friends in bands and shows for years now. Thanks to being surrounded by like-minded & very talented musicians, I’ve made some great friends, which allow me to keep playing! Most recently I’ve played with Cedar Blue, Christian Gisondi Music & Catherine Caro. Advice To Upcoming Drummers: I’m still an upcoming drummer but I what helped me was slowing down. I know nowadays people just want to hop in, blast beat for days, play 220 BPM and do all these killer stick tricks. Although that’s cool, if you can’t play Back in Black, you can’t play the hardcore metal that you want to. Starting with the metronome, building a foundation and continuous practice are the major points. Today’s Music: This topic is something I can talk about for HOURS because of the music today. I feel like a lot of the mainstream music today is soulless. Anyone can make a song now and have it be a hit, but that doesn’t mean it’s good. You have auto-tune, drum machines and all of these computer programs to substitute for talent. I’m hoping one day people will be able to see the real players, real musicians & enjoy the art they create. What Am I Up To Now?: I’m finishing up my degree in college right now! Once I get back home, it’s all drums for a while. I have a ton of covers I want to do, collaboration videos with YouTube musicians and hopefully getting back out to play live! If you want to see some of my videos, check out my YouTube & Facebook below! YouTube: Metaldrummer47 Facebook: Driscoll on the Drums Thanks so much Teri for allowing me to do my 1st interview!! This was so much fun!
Answers from hans ziller
1/you’re smoking your 30 years candles, what is the secret to keep up the band? 1) I would not say it is a secret. It is just determination and a love of what we do. Music is very important part of our lives and we just keep trying to make the best album possible and the show as good as possible.
2/most bands disband and get back together recently, you have musicians from the states, is it necessary for keeping the flame by changing members? 2) Bonfire to me is about good songs and good musicianship. We would always like to keep just one lineup and play together forever but we are people and sometimes people have disagreements or other reasons they need to change their life. Since we are a group everyone does not always look at things with the same vision or have the same opinion of things. So that person may become unhappy or just decide they need a change. Unfortunately there is not always a solution and people sometimes decide they need to move on or can not work together anymore. Bonfire is a German band the musicians that came from the states were the natural choice at the time. They love Germany and live and respect the culture and people and are very good musicians. So I didn’t look to get people from somewhere else it just kind of happened and was the right choice at the time. There is only one member from the states now.
3/The band is still in Germany how do you record and compose? 3) For the first time we are recording the new album “ Byte the Bullet” here in our home village of Ingolstadt. At a great studio called Flatliners studios. We are looking forward to working so close to home.
4/The band’s logo hasn’t changed much, have you thought about doing something or you think it is the sign of the band and must stay this way? 4) We have used the Bonfire logo since the beginning so know people know this logo and identify with it. That is the point of a logo so we would not change it now. Maybe sometimes the color we would change for certain things but no changes more than that.
5/How do you find the way to compose without turning in circle, are you listening to old bands? 5) he songs come from the heart and soul, so they come from inside us. We don’t try to be anyone but who we areand what comes out, comes out. With this new album I want it to be a little heavier than the past. So that is our direction for the new album.
6/Did you take some old songs and reworked them for the last album? 6) The last album “Pearls” was a celebration of Bonfire’s 30 year history. We took many of the best songs from the past and rerecorded them and gave them a new life. A “best of ” album so to speak with a twist.
7/You had the chance to be aired on MTV and movie soundtrack back then, do you think it helped a lot and what do you think of the new medias about music? 7) Yes of course both of these helped us in the past. But nowadays things are different technology and media has different forms and is much more advanced than it was back when we started. This is kind of the concept of our new album “Byte the Bullet” about technology and it’s role in all our lives wether we like it or not.
8/Is there a country you haven’t toured yet? 8) Yes the world is a very big place. So there are a few places we have not played before but we are looking to make that list smaller in the near future.
www.bonfire.de
1/ first tell us what happened to Freevil? How did you come back to Denata and changed the logo? Howdy! Well we are still working with Freevil as usual. Its my prior band but the reason you haven't heard anything from us … Ugh I could do the list so long... Personal issues, family related things, lineup change, studio problems, guitar problems just to name a few reasons. It's unacceptable how much time we have spent on the upcoming album. I start to laugh when I think about it. BUT we are really close in the studio now. I hope we have a mixed and mastered album out next year... On top of that I wish we could have the luck with us and not have a 10 year gap between every album cause it sucks.... But this time it have been out of our control as we want it perfect and not just “out” due time pressure. So await a unholy good follow up soon with Freevil! Regarding Denata back in 2003 it felt wrong to go on with it... Later on I asked Ponta (former member) if he was interested or mind if I went on with it. He said ok and then I felt if I'm going to continue I want something to mark that this will be Denata 2.0 … So I felt a new logo would be in place because of that. These days Denata is my solo project that I work with when I have time over from my other bands. 2/it seems you are very active and have lots of friends participating to your last 3Tx special mini album, but not much news for many years, can you tell us about it? Reason is actually pretty simple. All hell brake loose and time just flew. And as we not are touring and no new releases it went numb... Yet I and the other guys in Seance and Freevil have not been lazy. Just that when we don't have any news we go silent unless someone ask. 3/Do you still have your Monson guitars? Yeah I still use my Monson guitars a lot. I got two different models. One Howler and one Asylum. They are just perfect. Built for my personal taste and Brent Monson is a really good metal luther indeed. Of course I pick up my other axes in between too. Right now I use a guitar with Evertune when recording cause it save so much time as I hit so damn hard. No out of tune on the rhythm. Fantastic invention which I first was very skeptic about. Thinking of getting another Monson with a Evertune in. Would be great. 4/Are you writting a lot of materials we will soon hear? I'm writing material with Denata for the next ”fossil” project. We will have more cool guests joining but its too early to say much about it. But it will be fun and indeed cool like the last one. The Freevil album is soon ready to mix and after that we will start to write for Seance or Freevil or both. So in the nearest future you will hear more from Denata and Freevil. 5/how did you end up with all these musicians? Which are you thinking of now =) The guest musicians on the fossil record? 6/Have you rewritten Lemmy’s song? why three versions?sounds very Thrash /Death where come the band’s name?
No and I realized many people get this ”project” totally wrong. I will sort it out for you. A friend of mine in Sweden, professor Mats E. Eriksson give names to fossils he discover. Like Kignities Diamondi after King Diamond and for this project Kalloprion Kilmisteri after Lemmy Kilmister. He then top it of by gathering bands to do their thing music wise but with his lyrics (that are real and not fiction). So the songs are unique written by each band and the lyrics are interpretated the way we want to fit the music. At least Lemmy got to know he had a fossil named after him and also knew we where working on this project before he passed away. Three songs is what we thought would make sense. Doing one song would feel a bit silly to release on picture disc and more than three songs would maybe be a little too much. It's not a band name which I think I mention before. So this release is named Kallprion Kilmisteri – Silurain Overkill after the fossil and on the record are three songs. One with Seance, one with Denata (guest solo by Mattias Bjärud) and then another Denata song with guest vocals and solo by Niklas Stålvind from Wolf. So I'm somewhere in every track on this record which is fun.. Last release Kignities Diamondi I was only had one song from Denata. 7/is it available only as download? what do you think of this new way when you used to love LPs and made Cds? It's only available as download and a limited picture disc in 300 copies. The records are sold on bandcamp and also at the Rock Fossil exhibition where you can find all these fossils. I still love LP's and tapes! Brings back good memories. These days I do not listen much to music cause I always write or do something with my own so some silence is good in between. But in the car I always need something and as it sound so shitty in my car anyway I just go for it with mp3's. But I still buy vinyls or what I really enjoy and in between I take a evening of and just sit and listen... Wish I had more time for that. 8/since you started your band ? with all the line up etc what do you see this journey? why not joining a band since sweden got lots of talents? I am in 2 bands and have my solo project. In Freevil it's me, MiqueFlesh and Toxine. In Seance it's the same guys but also Johan Larsson on vocals. I don't think I could be in one more unless it would be a session or recording thing. All I can say 25 years later after tons of bands … If you make music for any other reason than passion and having fun … Do something else! Thanks for the interview bro! And thanks to everyone that support us (Denata, Freevil, Seance). Without you it wouldnt be the same! METAL!
https://www.facebook.com/SEANCESWE/ http://www.denata.com/ https://www.facebook.com/niklas.stalvind/ http://wolf.nu/ http://www.freevil.se/
Greg Christian
1/ is the band your own creation? why this name? 1. Yes this is my creation. These are songs I’ve been writing for many years and most of them I tried to get Testament to play. Of the 3 on the EP: 21st Century is brand new Apache Skies I tried to get Testament to do on Dark Roots Ashes I tried to get them to play on Formation. I thought up the name Trinity Fallen about 9 years ago. To me, it has a 3 part meaning. The 1st and most obvious is the Holy Trinity. The other 2 are the $ trinity (World Bank, IMF and WTO) and the first nuclear test in the Nevada desert was called Trinity. And I think all 3 (organized religion, control of assets and the nuclear issue) have gone south. That’s my meaning for Trinity Fallen. I also liken it to my own personal version of Black Sabbath (my favorite band of all time). 2/usually bass player joins a band , what’s your point of view? have you had few play in friends bands? 2. Well .. I’m not like other bass players hahaha. Like I said above, these are songs I’ve been writing for years. I’ve spent my whole career playing other people’s songs and I felt it’s time my songs are heard. 3/Do you play bass like a guitar? do you play and compose on guitar then take the bass like some bass players? 3. No. All these songs were originally written on bass. I can play a little guitar but I don’t pick well (all fingers) so I don’t really do much with a guitar 4/what bass do you use now and your gear? 4. Now I’m using a Jackson bass, Ampeg SVT 5pro, a Jim Dunlop bass Wah and Jim Dunlop strings. That’s it. 5/have you written lyrics?if so what are the themes? 5. Yes. I wrote all the lyrics to start off. Judd made some minor changes on some songs and wrote about half the lyrics to Ashes but overall 80% - 90% of the lyrics of all the TF material (not just the 3 songs released) came from me. copter and the song is about what’s going on when they are flying overhead. Ashes .. while some people may see that as about my split with Testament, it’s not. I actually wrote that about a relationship with a woman that ended really badly. And the other 9 songs we started recording (and will finish as soon as possible) each have completely different themes.And the themes are different for each song. 21st Century is about the times. That we are on the brink of new Golden Age, but also on the brink of disaster and that our own personal choices will decide which way that will go. Apache Skies is about the wars in the Middle East. An Apache AH64 is an American attack heli 6/Is it easier to get back on track when you have been in a fmaous band? 6. That’s a double edged sword. In some ways it is. But in some ways it doesn’t seem to help or can actually make it more difficult. For instance, it takes a lot of $ to come out with production and most people don’t understand or care. They only know the last time they saw me with Testament the show (sound, lighting, etc) was at a certain level, and what I’m doing now just isn’t going to be able to compare to that. No matter how good we play or perform, it’s just not possible to put on a show at that level. I also don’t have a promotional machine behind me like a bigger band. I really am starting over from the very beginning here.
7/which music inspires you? are you moving from Thrash? 7. Most of my musical inspiration comes from music I grew up listening to. Bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, KISS, Rush, Judas Priest and older “classic hard rock” to start with. Then Iron Maiden, then the whole NWOBHM scene, and that all led to the thrash scene. To me thrash is good but it’s only one piece of a much bigger picture. I like the energy and intensity but I think if you get too stuck on trying to make everything fit into any particular sub genre, it can become one dimensional. And thrash can sometimes get that way. But it’s really all about the songs. That’s what matters. Good songs are good songs. No matter what style. I never pick up a bass and say - I’m gonna write ‘whatever-kind’ of song. I never pick up a bass ‘to write’. I just play. And sometimes I’ll play something and think - that’s was ‘a part’. Then repeat it until I know I’ll remember it. And move on. And I’ll have various parts that just seem to fit together. In other words, I just play what comes out without really trying to direct the kind of style it is. Sometimes I’ll get all the parts of a song in a day or a few days. Sometimes I’ll come up with a part that goes with parts I’ve had for many years. I have a lot of parts and partial songs and a lot of finished arrangements. It was tough to narrow it down to 12 to start recording. Even tougher to pick the first 3 to release. They’re all so different and all have things that are unique about them. And it does seem that the older classic hard influences are mostly what comes out but I think I’ve been able to infuse it with some of the energy of thrash. 8/who is you bass player legend? 8. Geezer Butler. I’ve had the honor of touring with him with Black Sabbath in ‘91 and Heaven and Hell in ‘08. Same line up only different name. And watching him play every night and every soundcheck was lessons money can’t buy. I studied everything he did as much as I could from the floor and side stage. There were things I saw him do that took me years to be able do. I’m not saying I can play like him. Not even close. I’m much more of a Neanderthal on the bass haha but I learned a great deal by watching the master and feel blessed to have had the opportunity. 9/are you listening and following new bands? 9. Ya know, I kinda feel bad about this but as far as new bands go, I don’t know much of what anyone is doing at the moment. I haven’t really followed anyone. I guess in a way it’s kept what I’m doing pure. It’s not influenced by anything current. At all. But it’s also kind of isolated me so I think I need to start checking out newer bands. And newer releases by older bands. I haven’t listened to much of that either. I kind of hit a point almost 20 years ago, where I stopped taking in much new music. A few bands here and there but not a lot. But my whole life pretty much fell apart around that time so maybe it’s all deeper than just music. But it’s a pattern I need to break. I need to educate myself on what’s going on now. 10/you played all around the world , do you miss it or happy to be home? 10. I miss touring and no I’m not happy at home. After the way things went with Testament, I pretty much have nothing and am basically fighting for my life to get Trinity Fallen going. That doesn’t sound very rock star like but it’s the plain truth. I have much faith in this band and material though and I can take inspiration from others that started over later in life and had great success. Like Ozzy for example. And I believe if I stay the course, I can at least make a living playing music. If I would’ve made a fair share from one big show like Hellfest, it would’ve made a big difference to me. Ten big shows, and my life would be different now. And you would have the full 12 song Trinity Fallen CD to listen to now. I could’ve finished it right away. And probably years ago. C’est la Vie So basically, I can’t wait to get out on the road and work. 11/do you have enough material for a complete album? Do you play live covers if so which ones? 11. As I’ve said above, yes I have way more material than a full album. We tracked drums to 12 songs but only finished 3. I could’ve probably finished 5 songs with the same studio time but chose to track drums for 12 songs instead. Drums are the most complicated instrument to record and since they are done, it makes it easy to go in and record the rest and finish it later. Also, we did these songs so quickly we didn’t even go through all the different takes. Tim did at least 3 or 4 takes of each song and we pretty much just went with the first ones we listened to. Like, ok, that’s good on to bass. This EP is really more like a good sounding demo than a proper release and we will go back over these 3 and make some changes when we go in to finish the other 9. Also, Judd sang these 3 songs before he and I had ever met face to face. He sang them at a studio in Kansas to mp3 rough mixes of the music I emailed him. Then we imported them into the master HD. When we go in the studio to do the proper CD we’ll be able to spend a lot more time on the details. But I want to keep the raw or organic sound we have. So much modern metal is cut, pasted, quantized and sound replaced into sounding fake or sterile, like a machine, not like a live band.
But I think, just like with the classic hard rock I grew up with, the tiny flaws and imperfections are what make the music breathe and give it life. They make it real. 12/will you release a physical copy or you will go digital like many do? 12. Yes we will release a physical copy but I’m not sure when. The deal we have is only for digital so we are free to print CD’s and sell them if we’d like and I think it is a good idea. It’s just one more thing that comes down to money. I would also like to release vinyl but once again - money. Cheers, God bless and thank you for your time everyone !!!
www.facebook.com/ TrinityFallenOfficial/
Tina Thompson-Webb 1) When did you start Something Metal and what was the purpose, are you and association? Something Metal started on 4/20/2014. The purpose of SM under the mantra of "unity and community" is a community of musicians, bands, promoters and venues to help all to be successful by working together. We are not an association. 2) Are you managing your husbands band or any in your area? SM does not manage any bands, we are not a management company. We will from time to time help bands find new members and bookings but we do not "manage". 3) Are you organizing gigs, spreading a lot of live dates? We do organize and present live shows but not a lot of them. We prefer to stick more to the quality, not quantity rule. We work with several different venues in our area and we also organize charity events and clothing drives for the homeless. 4) Who did the Logo? Why this name? The original logo and art work was done by Mark Atterberry and variations and manipulations of the original art work are done by Rik Raff under is entity RikGraffix. The name came from the thought of what the name should be....."I don't know what to call it but is needs to be something metal" DING!!! That's it!!! We'll call it " Something Metal" which has evolved in to Something Metal Northwest Promotions. 5) You seem to have a lot of supporters from bands to radio, how did you get all those people to follow you on this adventure? We do have support from a lot of bands and some local internet radio station but the real support come from the people that support the music scene. This is all about the people, SM, the bands and radio stations are all there for the people because they are actually the ones keeping it alive. They support us and all involved out of love of music. 6) Do you deal with money like a normal manager? Once again, we are not "managers" and we do not take money from the events we promote. We do however raise money for charities and 100% of the funds go to the charity we are working for. 7) Are you getting support in other states or countries or are you dealing specially in your area? We have support of people and bands in other states and there are some people from other countries supporting our efforts and following our Facebook page. SM is growing on a daily basis and the longer we keep at it, the wider the support grows. 8) Do you get famous bands or do you just support the underground.? We support mainly local acts but we are strong supporters of local bands that have gone big like Queensryche and Metal Church. We support the whole spectrum of bands from the little bar clear to the touring national acts. Once again, Something Metal Northwest Promotions is a community operating under the mantra "Unity and Community". We believe that all who work together can succeed.
www.facebook.com/SomethingMetal/
REVIEWS
Some of the best for 2016 but check the site for all bands
Acidity:”into the lies” Digital album 2016 Nightbreaker productions. Italian Thrash Metal. The band after many line up changes since they started few years ago had to change the name twice and are now spreading their venom for good! This is powerfull thrash you will love and to give you the reasons why is simple, moshing tunes kick ass thrashing straight to the point in your face.. well so cool! For the fans of Gothic Slam, Panic, Exodus, Sepultura... well this is mosh 100/100
Metatrone: “Eucharismetal” CD CD March 2016 Rockshots records. Italian Heavy Metal/ Prog band. I received this brilliant album recently so you probably read about it somewhere.. At first I was a bit sceptical as the cover very digital made reminded me some early 90’s cover Techo bands used to get Metal people to buy their album (I know some people who did ) 12 tracks with two bonuses to explode your ears. YOu must love the keyboards as it’s taking a whole place here. The band call itself Christian Metal (although to me it has no sense) the fact they are singing with bibliotical lyrics. The most important is the music and there is no religion in music just pure amazing melodies and kick ass tempos. The band is really pushing to get people loving them by singin in Italian as English mixing some Thrashy riffs and even “growls” but mostly it is very melodic and well worked. IF you love DreamTheater, Deep purple, Epica, .. strong 80’s pop influence, Amaranthe... 100/100 Salvacion:”Way More Unstoppable” CD 2016 Heaven and Hell records. USA Heavy Metal band. The band started in 2009 although they sound like an old 80’s band! REDUX re-mixed and re-mastered with new vocals tracks by new vocalist Madre, seems like line up changes has made it difficult for them to reach another album, so it is repressed by mister Jeremy who always get us awesome Heavy Metal, wishing them to concquer the world and make another masterpiece. As usual you will get a great package with photos interview and bonuses for the fans and well for the new one who love great Heavy Metal. This has to be in your collection! For the fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Tokyo Blade, Ozzy Osbourne, Exiter, Skull fist, Pretty maid... 100/100
Widow:”Carved in stone” CD 24 June 2016 Pure Steel Records. USA Heavy Metal band. Sorry to be late on this one... it’s a masterpiece like you will all 80’s maniacs will sherish, it has all the best tunes we all love and worship. This will remind you DIo, Kiss, Skid Row,Bonham, whitelion... the list goes on and on it’s just a must have 100/100
www.metalzoneprod666.com/Reviews
To be continued.... on the website many great albums to check!!!
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